Safety Stair Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel safety stair device that is designed to safely and easily allow a user to enter and exit a storm shelter. The device comprises a set of stairs that are secured against the rungs of the storm shelter ladder. The set of stairs comprise indentations at the back of the stairs, such that the set of stairs can be slid over the existing ladder rungs via the indentations, securing the set of stairs in place. The set of stairs are also padded to allow users to slide down the stairs without developing abrasions, scrapes, etc. Thus, users with low mobility can safely utilize the device to enter and exit a storm shelter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety stair device for safely and easily allowing a user to enter and exit a storm shelter comprising:
 a set of stairs;   wherein the set of stairs comprise at least one padding component; and   wherein the set of stairs are secured against a plurality of rungs of a storm shelter ladder.   
     
     
         2 . The safety stair device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of stairs comprise a plurality of indentations along a back of the set of stairs. 
     
     
         3 . The safety stair device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of indentations are aligned with the plurality of rungs of the storm shelter ladder. 
     
     
         4 . The safety stair device of  claim 3 , wherein the set of stairs is placed over the plurality of rungs via the plurality of indentations to secure the set of stairs in place on the storm shelter ladder. 
     
     
         5 . The safety stair device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of stairs comprises a plurality of stairs. 
     
     
         6 . The safety stair device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of stairs comprises a pair of stringers, to which a plurality of brackets are secured. 
     
     
         7 . The safety stair device of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of stairs comprises a pan and a riser. 
     
     
         8 . The safety stair device of  claim 7 , wherein each pan is secured onto the pair of stringers via at least two of the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         9 . The safety stair device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises pre-formed openings to receive a fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The safety stair device of  claim 9 , wherein the set of stairs increases in elevation from a bottom stair to a top stair. 
     
     
         11 . The safety stair device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one padded component comprises a foam strip having a sufficient density to provide a desirable degree of protection. 
     
     
         12 . The safety stair device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one padding component comprises a closed-cell, cross linked polyethylene or a polyethylene/EVA foam. 
     
     
         13 . The safety stair device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one padded component comprises an attachment means to bond to the set of stairs. 
     
     
         14 . The safety stair device of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment means comprises at least one of an adhesive strip, an adhesively mounted hook and loop fastener means and a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The safety stair device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of stairs are manufactured from an aluminum, a stainless steel, a polycarbonate or a fiber-reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The safety stair device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one handrail. 
     
     
         17 . The safety stair device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of stairs is wider than the storm shelter ladder. 
     
     
         18 . A safety stair device for safely and easily allowing a user to enter and exit a storm shelter comprising:
 a set of stairs comprising a plurality of stairs;   a storm shelter ladder comprising a plurality of rungs;   wherein each of the plurality of stairs comprise at least one padding component with an attachment means to bond to the plurality of stairs;   wherein the attachment means comprises at least one of an adhesive strip, an adhesively mounted hook and loop fastener means and a mechanical fastener;   wherein the set of stairs further comprises a plurality of indentations along a back portion of the set of stairs;   wherein the plurality of indentations are aligned with the plurality of rungs of the storm shelter ladder; and   further wherein the set of stairs is placed over the plurality of rungs via the plurality of indentations to secure the set of stairs in place on the storm shelter ladder.   
     
     
         19 . The safety stair device of  claim 18  further comprising at least one handrail. 
     
     
         20 . The method of safely entering and exiting a storm shelter comprising the steps of:
 providing a safety stair device comprising a set of stairs having a plurality of indentations positioned along a back portion of the set of stairs and at least one padding component;   positioning the set of stairs such that the plurality of indentations align with a plurality of rungs of a storm shelter ladder;   inserting the plurality of rungs into the plurality of indentations, such that the set of stairs is positioned over the plurality of rungs, thereby securing the set of stairs in place relative to the storm shelter ladder; and   utilizing the set of stairs via walking up and down the set of stairs or sliding down the set of stairs on the at least one padding component.